Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions, and kits for detecting TC I deficiency in individuals with low serum cobalamin levels. Methods for detecting TCN1 mutations and/or the TC I isoforms or products of TCN1 mutations are useful for detecting and diagnosing those who have TC I deficiency and thereby can be said to have TC I deficiency instead of cobalamin deficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for reconstructing a three-dimensional image of an object's volume of interest using computed tomography that employs conical-beam, intensity-modulated projections of this object. In one embodiment, a plurality of collimating devices serves to modulate the aperture of the radiation source thereby acting to modulate the intensity of the source upon the object. Also provided are image processing devices, examination apparatus, as well as a computer-readable medium and a program element adapted and configured to perform aspects of the methods disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for magnetic resonance diffusion anisotropy image processing are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and methods for identifying JAK2-specific polynucleotide sequences in a biological sample. Also disclosed are oligonucleotide primer and probe comopositions for detecting mutations in a JAK2 polynucleotides, and the JAK2V617F mutation in specific, as well as systems, diagnostic kits and articles of manufacture comprising JAK2-specific primer and probe compositions.

Abstract: A mathematical model, the membranes and devices based upon that model to optimize protocols for the addition or removal of cryoprotectant to or from biological cells, and a method to observe the biological cells and obtain the data to implement the models. This disclosure describes the use of four equations to predict optimal protocols to add or remove cryoprotectant to or from biological cells. The equations particularly require experimentally found data, specific to cell-type and species, regarding the osmotic tolerance of the cells, where osmotic tolerance refers to the cells ability to shrink or swell to various changes in osmolality without injury. The equations further require the cryoprotectant permeability coefficient and the water permeability coefficient of the particular cells' plasma membrane.

Abstract: A perforated unitary multi-laminar tissue graft construct and method for preparing such construct is described. The method comprises overlapping strips of submucosa tissue with other strips of submucosal tissue, compressing at least the overlapped portions of said strips between two surfaces under conditions that allow or promote dehydration of the compressed submucosa sheets, and perforating the resulting unitary tissue graft construct. The perforated tissue graft compositions have enhanced mechanical and remodeling properties relative to non-perforated submucosal tissue grafts.

Abstract: Multi-laminar tissue graft constructs, pseudoisotropic graft constructs and a method of preparing such constructs are described. Multi-laminar tissue graft constructs are prepared by fusing partially overlapped strips of submucosa tissue into a unitary graft construct by compressing the tissue under dehydrating conditions. Pseudoisotropic tissue graft constructs are prepared by overlapping a first strip of submucosa tissue with at least two strips of submucosa tissue orientated so that the longitudinal axis of each strip formts an angle of about 180.degree./N with the longitudinal axes of at least two other strips of submucosal tissue.

Abstract: A unitary heterolaminar tissue graft construct is prepared by fusing partially overlapped strips or sheets of submucosa tissue. The submucosa components are fused by compressing at least the overlapped positions of said strips between two surfaces under conditions that allow or promote dehydration of the compressed submucosa sheets. Three dimensional graft constructs can be prepared by using complementary non-planar compressive surfaces.

Abstract: A mathematical model, and membranes and devices based upon that model, to optimize protocols for the addition or removal of cryoprotectant to or from biological cells. This disclosure describes the use of four equations to predict optimal protocols to add or remove cryoprotectant to or from biological cells. The equations particularly require experimentally found data, specific to cell-type and species, regarding the osmotic tolerance of the cells, where osmotic tolerance refers to the cells ability to shrink or swell to various changes in osmolality without injury. The equations further require the cryoprotectant permeability coefficient and the water permeability coefficient of the particular cells' plasma membrane. These coefficients are found with experimental data of the knetic volume change of the cell-type to a known concentration and temperature of cryoprotectant.

Abstract: A method for surgical repair of a diseased or damaged bladder is described. Diseased or damaged bladder tissue is surgically replaced with submucosal tissue of a warm blooded vertebrate to promote regrowth of endogenous urinary bladder tissue.

Abstract: A perforated unitary multi-laminar tissue graft construct and method for preparing such construct is described. The method comprises overlapping strips of submucosa tissue with other strips of submucosal tissue, compressing at least the overlapped portions of said strips between two surfaces under conditions that allow or promote dehydration of the compressed submucosa sheets, and perforating the resulting unitary tissue graft construct. The perforated tissue graft compositions have enhanced mechanical and remodeling properties relative to non-perforated submucosal tissue grafts.

Abstract: A mathematical model, and membranes and devices based upon that model, to optimize protocols for the addition or removal of cryoprotectant to or from biological cells. This disclosure describes the use of four equations to predict optimal protocols to add or remove cryoprotectant to or from biological cells. The equations particularly require experimentally found data, specific to cell-type and species, regarding the osmotic tolerance of the cells, where osmotic tolerance refers to the cells ability to shrink or swell to various changes in osmolality without injury. The equations further require the cryoprotectant permeability coefficient and the water permeability coefficient of the particular cells' plasma membrane. These coefficients are found with experimental data of the knetic volume change of the cell-type to a known concentration and temperature of cryoprotectant.

Abstract: An improved ventilator apparatus and method includes a ventilator having an inspiration side for delivery of air to a patient and an expiration side for receiving air from the patient, the expiration side including an air flow path through the ventilator for monitoring of the expired air, a first conduit connecting the inspiration side of the ventilator to the patient, a second conduit communicating expiration air from the patient to an air cooler, and a third conduit coupling the outlet of the air cooler to the air flow path on the expiration side of the ventilator, the air cooler operating to cool the expired air to a temperature sufficiently low as to eliminate moisture condensation as the expired air passes through the flow path on the expiration side of the ventilator. The expired air is preferably cooled to about or below the temperature within the expiration side flow path.

Abstract: A unitary heterolaminar tissue graft construct is prepared by fusing partially overlapped strips or sheets of submucosa tissue. The submucosa components are fused by compressing at least the overlapped positions of said strips between two surfaces under conditions that allow or promote dehydration of the compressed submucosa sheets. Three dimensional graft constructs can be prepared by using complementary non-planar compressive surfaces.

Abstract: A mathematical model, and membranes and devices based upon that model, to optimize protocols for the addition or removal of cryoprotectant to or from biological cells. This disclosure describes the use of four equations to predict optimal protocols to add or remove cryoprotectant to or from biological cells. The equations particularly require experimentally found data, specific to cell-type and species, regarding the osmotic tolerance of the cells, where osmotic tolerance refers to the cells ability to shrink or swell to various changes in osmolality without injury. The equations further require the cryoprotectant permeability coefficient and the water permeability coefficient of the particular cells' plasma, membrane. These coefficients are found with experimental data of the knetic volume change of the cell-type to a known concentration and temperature of cryoprotectant.

Abstract: A cell culture growth substrate comprising submucosal tissue of a warm-blooded vertebrate and a method for culturing eukaryotic cells are described. Submucosal tissue used in accordance with the present invention supports the proliferation and differentiation of eukaryotic cells when said cells are contacted with submucosal tissue under conditions conducive to cell proliferation.

Abstract: A mathematical model to optimize protocols for the addition or removal of cryoprotectant to or from sperm cells. This disclosure describes the use of four equations to predict optimal protocols to add or remove cryoprotectant to or from sperm cells. The equations particularly require experimentally found date, specific to a species of sperm, regarding the osmotic tolerance of sperm cells, where osmotic tolerance refers to the sperm cells ability to shrink or swell to various changes in osmolality without injury. The equations further require the cryoprotectant permeability coefficient and the water permeability coefficient of the particular sperm cells' plasma membrane. Also disclosed are two particularly preferred methods to add or remove cryoprotectant to or from sperm. These preferred methods are Fixed-Volume-Step addition/removal of cryoprotectant or Fixed-Molarity-Step addition/removal of cryoprotectant.

Abstract: A method for surgical repair of a diseased or damaged bladder is described. Diseased or damaged bladder tissue is surgically replaced with submucosal tissue of a warm blooded vertebrate to promote regrowth of endogenous urinary bladder tissue.

Abstract: A method for repairing damaged or diseased bone is described. The method comprises the step of implanting into the damaged or diseased region a bone graft composition in powder form, the composition comprising the tunica submucosa delaminated from the tunica muscularis and at least the luminal portion of the tunica mucosa of a segment of vertebrate intestine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for placement of a gastric line in the digestive tract of a patient. A guide element is either formed integrally with the end of a gastric line or it is formed separately to be fixed on the end segment of a gastric line to reduce the flexibility of the gastric line segment and facilitate the positioning of the gastric line in a patient's digestive tract. The guide element is provided with means for slideably engaging a previously positioned transepiglottal guide line so that the guide element when engaged with the guide line, can be pushed down the guide line to position the gastric line in an esophageal or post-esophageal position. An optional mouthpiece is provided to receive and guide the gastric tube toward the middle of the posterior oral pharynx during insertion and to protect the gastric line from the biting surfaces of the teeth and maintain its position in the mouth after insertion.